Wherein the Clog solves the big problems. Today: The Phillies offense

To paraphrase the Minutemen, what makes a team stop hitting?

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Wherein the Clog solves the big problems. Today: The Phillies offense

POSTED: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 6:33 PM

To paraphrase the Minutemen, what makes a team stop hitting?

The Phillies mighty offense has, in the last week, gone ice cold. During that stretch, the starting pitching has gone a bit haywire and the already-fraying bullpen has come further unravelled.

The bullpen problems we're all aware of and will hopefully be ameliorated once the Phils get some of their injured guys back, healthy and in rhythm.

The starting pitching is what it is: Capable of amazing stretches, but also capable — even Cliff Lee as it turns out — of nights where the pitches all look like beach balls. (J.A. Happ's oblique strain is looking particularly bad-omen-y, I'll admit.)

But what the deuce is up with the offense? Yes, the Phils offense, even as recently as last season, was prone to extended dry spells, only to bounce back with a 10-run frame. But this season the engine — even despite Jimmy Rollins' early struggles and Raul Ibanez' more recently — seemed to be humming like a well-oiled machine.

What happened?

It's often said that facing a really tough pitcher — a Randy Johnson circa 2001, say — can disrupt a lineup for weeks. Is it possible that the Giants Jonathan Sanchez and/or Tim Lincecum completely threw the entire lineup's mojo out of whack?

What do you think is wrong with the Phils?

Posted by Brian Howard @ 6:33 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
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